Asymmetric Zinc Negative Electrode Layout for Longer Cycle Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zinc secondary batteries have insufficient charge/discharge cycle performance, leading to shortened battery life due to zinc dendrite penetration and short-circuiting, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A negative electrode with an asymmetric active material layer thickness distribution relative to the current collector plate, where the center of the active material layer is deviated from the reference plane passing through the center of the collector plate, enhancing ion conductivity and reactivity by reducing hydroxide ion migration distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional symmetric negative electrode structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the charge/discharge cycle performance is insufficient due to zinc dendrite penetration and short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the negative electrode active material layer with different thicknesses on either side of the current collector plate. Specifically, the first thickness on the first side and the second thickness on the second side are designed to satisfy a specific ratio relationship, creating an asymmetric structure that optimizes ion transport paths and prevents zinc dendrite formation, thereby improving charge/discharge cycle performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the thickness of the active material layer at different locations of the negative electrode. The first region has a different thickness than the second region, allowing each local area to have optimized properties for its specific function - this non-uniform thickness distribution creates locally optimized conditions for ion conductivity and dendrite prevention
2Quantity of substance
If the active material layer thickness is increased to improve capacity, then the energy storage increases, but the ion migration distance increases leading to higher reaction resistance and reduced reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different active material layer thicknesses. The first region has a thickness optimized for one function while the second region has a different thickness optimized for another function. This allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve sufficient active material quantity for energy storage while maintaining short ion migration paths in critical regions to ensure high ion conductivity and reactivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration prolongs the cycle life of zinc secondary batteries by improving ion conductivity and reactivity, reducing reaction resistance, and preventing zinc dendrite penetration, thereby enhancing battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing ion conductivity and reactivity by reducing hydroxide ion migration distance
Implementation Method 2
a hydroxide ion conductive separator separating the positive electrode from the negative electrode so as to be capable of conducting hydroxide ions therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a negative electrode for use in a zinc secondary battery, including a negative electrode active material layer having a first surface and a second surface, and a negative electrode current collector plate embedded in the negative electrode active material layer parallel to the negative electrode active material layer. The first surface of the negative electrode active material layer is more remote from the negative electrode current collector plate than the second surface, whereby the center of the negative electrode active material layer in a thickness direction is deviated from a reference plane passing through the center of the negative electrode current collector plate in a thickness direction. A ratio of a thickness defined as a distance between the second surface and the reference plane to a thickness defined as a distance between the first surface and the reference plane is greater than 0 and 0.5 or less.